Below we show a list of the different prizes and awards received by the Bridge between 1999 and 2007, under the concession holder El Transbordador de Vizcaya, S. L.
Prizes and Awards
Diploma a la Calidad Turística en Destino
Euskalit 2011
Arquitectura y Espacio Público 2011
AIXEGETXO SARIAK
Arquitectura y Espacio Público 2011
1st award of this type granted in Euskadi and 1st in Spain as 19th Century Industrial Architecture
Following the intense preparation work, started in 2004, with the collaboration of the Basque Government and the Spanish Government, on 13th July 2006, in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, UNESCO’s World Committee (made up of 400 members) through its Executive Committee declared the Vizcaya Bridge a World Heritage Site. This Declaration was unanimously approved by the members of said Committee.
At the declaration ceremony, the Basque Government was represented by the Director of its Heritage Department, Ms Arantza Arzamendi, and the Spanish Government by the General Director for Fine Arts and Cultural Assets, Mr Julián Martínez and the Deputy Director for the Protection of Historic Heritage, Mr Luis Lafuente. UNESCO’s Director of the World Heritage Centre was the Italian representative, Mr Franccesco Bandarin.
Inauguration of the Hanging Bridge’s monumental walkway (1999)
On 27th July 1999 Their Royal Majesties Juan Carlos and Sofía accompanied the Lehendakari (Basque President), Mr Juan José Ibarretxe, and other authorities at the inauguration ceremony of the Hanging Bridge’s Monumental Walkway which joins the river banks of Las Arenas and Portugalete. Since it was opened it has received about 800,000 visitors.
Visit to the Bridge by Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo
with the 400 participants of the Quetzal Route 2007: Expedition to México (2007)
On 21st July Mr Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo, accompanied by the 400 young participants of the Quetzal Route 2007: Expedition to México, expressly went to Las Arenas (Getxo) to pay homage to the Vizcaya Hanging Bridge, Euskadi World Heritage.
Getxo Town Council Award (1999)
Award to the Best Tourism Company granted by Getxo Town Council in 1999.
Cadena de Ondas Award (1999-2000)
Award given for Innovative Tourism Company by the Cadena de Ondas Populares de España in 1999-2000.
Euskadi con mucho gusto (Euskadi with Pleasure) Award (2000)
Euskadi con mucho gusto (Euskadi with Pleasure) Award for the Best Tourism Company in Euskadi for the work done in recovering and promoting the Historic-Artistic Monument and its worldwide promotion. Granted by the Basque Government Department for Industry, Commerce and Tourism and personally given by the Lehendakari (Basque President), Mr Juan José Ibarretxe, at the official ceremony held in Vitoria on 23rd April 2001.
Award from Portugalete Town Council and the Traders Association (2002)
Award for the Best Tourism Company in the economic regeneration of the Town of Portugalete by attracting foreign visitors in a 2002.
Europa Nostra Award (2002)
Award granted by the European Union through the General Department for Culture, facing fierce competition from other highly valuable monuments, for the work done in conserving and promoting European Heritage. The ceremony was held in the Palace d´Egmont in Brussels on 9th May 2003.
Her Majesty the Queen of Spain personally accepted this award at the El Pardo Palace, in Madrid, on 8th June 2004. This award was the precursor of the process which would be started years later with UNESCO.
Espainiako Sofia Erreginak pertsonalki eman zuen sari hori El Pardo jauregian, Madrilen, 2004ko ekainaren 8an. Sari hori izan zen urte batzuk geroago UNESCOrekin hasiko zen prozesuaren aitzindaria.
S.M. La Reina de España Doña Sofía hizo entrega personalmente de este premio en el Palacio de El Pardo, en Madrid, el 8 de junio de 2004. Esta distinción fue precursora del proceso que, años después, se iniciaría con la UNESCO.
Los cinco vizcaínos (The Five Vizcainos) Award (2003)
Award granted by popular vote amongst the candidates proposed by different institutions for the work performed in promoting the Monument and attracting the attention of foreign visitors, which was given on 21st August 2003.
Archival Award (2003)
Award granted on 21st January 2004 by the Association for the Recovery of Spain’s Historical Centres, for the work done in conserving and promoting Industrial Heritage.
El Correo Award (2005)
Recognition of the work done by El Transbordador de Vizcaya, S.L.
Honorary Mention from the Council of Europe (2005)
Recognition of the work done by El Transbordador de Vizcaya S.L. for promoting the Pyrenean Iron Route which constitutes Industrial Heritage.
Comercios Unidos de Getxo (United Traders of Getxo) Award(2006)
Recognition of the company history of El Transbordador de Vizcaya S.L. in its collaboration and support in promoting the services sector in the Town of Getxo.
XII Shop Windows Award of Bizkaia (2006)
Granted by the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce to the Centennial Company.
Ascobi Award (2006)
Granted on 1st February 2007 by the Asociación de Promotores y Constructores de Bizkaia (Association of Building Developers and Construction Companies in Bizkaia), at the Palacio Euskalduna, in recognition of the Vizcaya Bridge’s contribution to constructing Bizkaia.
Honorary Mention by the Club Saguzar (2007)
Granted on 19th January 2007 by the Club Saguzar, an organisation made of representatives from the world of art and literature of Bizkaia, for the inclusion of the Vizcaya Bridge on the list of World Heritage Sites, the first in the Basque Country and the first of an industrial nature in Spain. The award ceremony was held in the halls of the Sociedad Bilbaína with the participation of all of the Club’s members
Issue of the Vizcaya Bridge stamp (2007)
Recognition of the work done by El Transbordador de Vizcaya, S.L.
Euskadi Tourism Award (2007)
Recognition of the work done by El Transbordador de Vizcaya S.L. for promoting the Pyrenean Iron Route which constitutes Industrial Heritage.
